Pin Registration... Is it worth it?

[archer graphics]

I am looking for Yes or No  opinions on pin registration set ups. I have an old 96 M&R Gauntlet that is just the bomb.  Is there a system that is worth while for it and doesn't cost an arm & a leg.  Does someone have a pin system for sale?  Any help is appreciated

[Nation03]

Is it triloc compatible? I'm not sure if all M&R presses are or only after a certain year. I picked up a used one and use it on my Workhorse Freedom and I gotta say, even for someone like me that does mostly 1-2 color jobs, it is totally worth it. There are plenty of used ones on the market. I got mine for $1750 but I've seen them as low as $1000.

[ericheartsu]

if you go down this route, i have a ton of newman pin locks, i'll see you for cheap.

Also i have a ton of spare parts, that i'll also sell cheap, for the gauntlet, if you want them.

[Shanarchy]

I have a Newman pin reg system we don't use (we use the Roq PRU). PM me if interested.

[ZooCity]

I would go tri loc with an inverted film placement board, pru style.  i.e., no frame on the glass, you apply film on a separate table.  M&R sells this ready to go if you ask.   Also very easy to build.  I slapped a temporary pru together from junk and about $40 at the hardware store recently and it's shocking how well it works.

Or, the newman pin lock system works alright on older M&Rs. 

I think you'll have less upfront investment and better reg with a pru style tri loc though. 

The series I M&Rs have a lot of flex everywhere so you won't get jobs going on dead nuts all the time but it will still be worth your while.

[RICK STEFANICK]

I personally don't like the newman pin system

[ZooCity]

I personally don't like the newman pin system

I would agree and apologies to the poster of the thread if I mislead at all there.  Should have clarified that the pin lock system is fine if you have nothing else and get it for a song used, it's at least a pre-placement system where one might not have had one.  I would never buy it new and even used they will hose you hard with the spare parts- they seem to think that a spring nose plunger is made of platinum and built by unicorns.

I honestly had very good pre-reg using it on a side clamping manual and on a '92 gauntlet.  If I pinned my own films it was often right on with no adjust, more commonly needed a linear bump on the X.  However I don't like the apparatus needed on the roller frames, lack of compatibility for statics, inconsistency in placement of the pins on the frames, poor placement of the swing out arms requiring the operator to move the platen to reg and then back into position to print, etc.   Last off it's not wise to have one super heavy platen on an air index style press.   

I think a PRU style system w. 3 pt registration is the only way to fly now.  Any PRU like this will do- it doesn't care what type of screens, the system ports across cts, film, laser, and your screens can be used on any brand of press. 

[Nation03]

I don't want to derail the topic, but is there a step by step guide on how to invert the triloc into a PRU? I'd love to ditch the carrier sheets.

[mimosatexas]

Step 1: turn it upside down.
Step 2: build a lightbox the height of the frame with a grid printed out on it.

Obviously there is a little more to it.  I think I posted some photos of my DIY version in the DIY section a while back, but I can revisit it.  Alan posted some photos a while back of his (which I basically copied) as well I think.

[stitches4815]

The series I M&Rs have a lot of flex everywhere so you won't get jobs going on dead nuts all the time but it will still be worth your while.

You are correct on this.  Rich Hoffman confirmed this when I was looking into Tri-locks.  He said they work good on series II and up.